Official Book Synopsis
The Gift of Rejection offers a personal and practical guide to heal from past and present rejection, and turn it into a catalyst for growth. Through her OPEN framework, Nona Jones helps readers identify the root of rejection in their lives, pinpoint the false beliefs it fuels, and discover four distinct gifts that every rejection experience offers. Blending biblical stories, research, and personal testimony, the book equips readers to process pain, build resilience and character, and live with joy and peace regardless of others’ acceptance.
How I Got Here
I remember pre-ordering the audiobook of The Gift of Rejection in mid-September 2024. I finished Killing Comparison, by Nona Jones; a book that left a mark on me during the summer of 2024. When the audiobook dropped in October 2024, I listened right away. And while I liked it, maybe even appreciated it – it didn’t land as deeply as Killing Comparison had… at least not at the time.
But funny how life brings things full circle.
Fast forward to nearly a year later, and I found myself navigating a really tough moment at work: two back-to-back rejections. One for an internal role I had my heart set on, and another for a professional development opportunity I was genuinely excited about. Not even having champions at higher levels in the company helped me get this opportunity. I was frustrated. Hurt.
And then, right when I needed it, The Gift of Rejection floated back into my mind. I even shared it in my newsletter (and if you’re not subscribed yet, you can join here). In my newsletter I shared the experience telling my audience:
“After spending the day being very disappointed, I remembered something from Nona Jones’s book “The Gift of Rejection”… In the book, Nona challenged readers to not wait for hindsight to say “God was protecting me.” We should see the rejection as a gift — right now. So I’m calling this rejection a gift. I haven’t unwrapped it yet to see what’s inside — but I trust there’s something good on the other side of this closed door.”
The timing forced me to return to the book with new eyes and a different heart posture.
Why I Came Back to This Book
I realized I never wrote a proper review last year. I had promised my newsletter readers I would, but I felt like I hadn’t connected deeply enough the first time. So this time, I hit replay. I relistened to the audiobook now with fresh perspective, real-time experience, and a bruised-but-open heart.
Right from the first minute, it hit differently.
The author’s honesty about working hard, doing “everything right,” and still being met with rejection? It was like she was speaking for me. And this time, I heard the message. Loudly.
“In God’s hands, rejection is often protection.”
That line. That truth. It stopped me in my tracks. And then there was another gem:
“Nona, I promised to work all things together for your good. I didn’t promise that it would feel good. I promised that it would be good. In my hands, rejection is a gift.”
Listening & Reading Experience
For this re-read, I did something I often do with nonfiction books I want to internalize: I listened to the audiobook and read the Kindle version at the same time. I annotate a lot, and trying to mark up audio inside the app has never quite worked for me. This dual approach helps me pause, reflect, and highlight the lines that hit hardest.
Also, the audiobook is narrated by the author herself and Nona delivers a really strong performance. I’ve found that when authors read their own work, the delivery tends to land better. They know where the emotion is, where the pause belongs, how to pace the story. Nona does all of that. It made the experience feel even more personal and powerful.
My Review: Rejection is a Mirror—Not a Verdict
Like Killing Comparison, The Gift of Rejection blends personal storytelling with biblical insight. Nona Jones isn’t just theorizing, she’s lived this stuff. And she doesn’t just tell you that rejection has purpose; she shows you how. Using well-known biblical figures like David and Joseph, she walks us through how rejection often looks like loss but works like divine redirection.
Nona explores how rejection doesn’t just hurt, it shapes us. It often goes internal and starts to influence our behavior in subtle ways. Some of those ways might even look “good” on the outside: overworking, overachieving, perfectionism, but they’re still rooted in fear of not being accepted.
Through her OPEN framework, Nona guides readers (and listeners) in unpacking those hidden responses so we can see rejection with clearer eyes.
And yes, what’s a book about the gift of rejection without actually naming the gifts? She delivers on that too, outlining four specific “gifts” that rejection can leave us with. No spoilers here, but they’re meaningful and practical, not fluffy or abstract.
Who Should Read This
If you’re in a season of disappointment, or questioning the “why” behind a recent letdown, this book is for you. Especially if you appreciated Killing Comparison, The Gift of Rejection is a natural next step. It’s also a great pick for anyone who’s navigating faith, identity, and purpose with a few wounds still healing.
Sometimes books don’t hit you the first time because they weren’t meant to. And that’s okay. But when they come back around and speak directly to your circumstances? That’s a different kind of gift.
Have you read The Gift of Rejection? Or Killing Comparison? I’d love to hear your thoughts—especially if a book ever came back to you just when you needed it most.
About the Author
Nona Jones is a rare combination of tech executive, author, speaker, and preacher. Her professional experience includes serving as Chief Content and Partnerships Officer at YouVersion (BibleApp), former Head of Global Faith Partnerships at Meta, and Chief External Affairs Officer at PACE Centers for Girls, Inc. She is the author of Success from the Inside Out, From Social Media to Social Ministry, Killing Comparison, and The Gift of Rejection.
